Film & Stage Ratings (May 18-24)

CINEMA RATINGS***** EXCELLENT ****VERY GOOD *** GOOD **AVERAGE * POOR
Film ratings are by Billy Suter or from Internet Movie Data Base. Theatre ratings are by Billy Suter.……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Note: Ster-Kinekor, Nu Metro and Suncoast CineCentre display adverts for KwaZulu-Natal cinemas appear at the end of this post.……………………………………………………………………………………….…………

The film of the Metropolitan Opera production of Verdi’s opera. The live transmission is hosted by Anthony Roth Costanzo. Final screenings at Cinema Nouveau cinemas, and at Gateway in Umhlanga, are at 6pm next Tuesday and 11.30am next Thursday.

JOURNEY’S END ***

Director: Saul Dibb

Stars: Paul Bettany, Sam Claflin, Asa Butterfield

Set in a dugout in Aisne in 1918, this drama tells the story of a group of British officers, led by the mentally disintegrating young officer Stanhope, as they await their fate.

LIFE OF THE PARTY **

Director: Ben Falcone

Stars: Melissa McCarthy, Debby Ryan, Gillian Jacobs

A comedy in which, after her husband abruptly asks for a divorce, a middle-aged mother returns to college to complete her degree.

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Benjamin, voiced by Colin Moody, and Peter Rabbit, voiced by James Corden. A scene from Peter Rabbit.

FILMS STILL ON CIRCUIT IN DURBAN AND SURROUNDS

AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR ***

Director: Anthony Russo and Joe Russo

Stars: Karen Gillan, Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Holland

This film has The Avengers and their allies having to be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.

RAMPAGE ***Director: Brad Peyton
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Naomie Harris, Malin Akerman
A grand adventure in which, when three different animals become infected with a dangerous pathogen, a primatologist and a geneticist team up to stop them from destroying Chicago.

Adding a little spice to a waning marriage, Anne and Bob, a wealthy and well-connected American couple, move into a manor house in romantic Paris. While preparing a particularly luxurious dinner for sophisticated international friends, our hostess discovers there are 13 guests. Panic-stricken, Anne insists her loyal maid Maria disguise herself as a mysterious Spanish noble woman to even out the numbers. But a little too much wine, and some playful chat, lead Maria to accidentally endear herself to a dandy British art broker. Their budding romance will have Anne chasing her maid around Paris and finally plotting to destroy this most unexpected and joyous love affair.

BLOCKERS ***

Director: Kay Cannon

Stars: Kathryn Newton, Leslie Mann, Gideon Adlon

A comedy in which three parents try to stop their daughters from losing their virginity on prom night.

TRAFFIK ***

Director: Deon Taylor

Stars: Dawn Oliviera, Paula Patton, Luke Goss

A thriller in which a couple off for a romantic weekend in the mountains are accosted by a biker gang. Alone in the mountains, Brea and John must defend themselves against the gang, who will stop at nothing to protect their secrets.

BEIRUT ***

Director: Brad Anderson

Stars: Rosamund Pike, Jon Hamm, Mark Pellegrino

Caught in the crossfires of civil war, CIA operatives must send a former U.S. diplomat to negotiate for the life of a friend he left behind.

TULLY ***

Director:Jason Reitman

Stars: Charlize Theron, Mackenzie Davis, Mark Duplass

A comedy-drama in which a mother of three hires a night nanny to help with her newborn.

When an overenthusiastic Maya accidentally embarrasses the Empress of Buzztropolis, she is forced to unite with a team of misfit bugs and compete in the Honey Games for a chance to save her hive. An animated adventure.

A drama in which a shy teenager falls for someone who transforms into another person every day.

I FEEL PRETTY **

Director:Abby Kohn, Marc Silverstein

Stars: Amy Schumer, Michelle Williams

A woman struggling with insecurity wakes from a fall believing she is the most beautiful and capable woman on the planet. Her new confidence empowers her to live fearlessly, but what happens when she realises her appearance never changed?

A WRINKLE IN TIME **

Director: Ava DuVernay

Stars: Storm Reid, Reese Witherspoon, Oprah Winfrey

After the disappearance of her scientist father, three peculiar beings send Meg, her brother, and her friend to space in order to find him.

MY BLIND DATE WITH LIFE ***

Director: Marc Rothemund

Stars: Kostia Ullman, Jacob Matschenz, Anna Marie Muhe

An ambitious young man struggles to achieve his dream of becoming an employee in a Munich luxury hotel despite being strongly visually impaired.

102 NOT OUT ***

Director: Umesh Shukla

Stars: Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, Jimit Trivedi

A comedy-drama with legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan playing a 102-year-old wanting to break the oldest-man-alive record. Another Bollywood legend Rishi Kapoor plays his sad and grumpy, 75-year-old son.

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The Gee Jays – Grant Bell, Gary McKenzie and John Didlick. They perform Our Way at Tina’s Hotel in Kloof this week.

CAMELOT(Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, UKZN, Durban)This lavish KickstArt musical about King Arthur and his Round Table, and the love triangle of King Arthur, his queen Guenevere, and knight Sir Lancelot, stars Steven Stead as Arthur, Jessica Sole as Guenevere and Lyle Buxton as the noble knight. Until June 3. Review next week.

THAT ’80S SHOW(The Rockwood Theatre, Sibaya Casino, near Umhlanga)

Andrew Webster has devised and directed this third party entertainment at Durban’s grand new supper theatre, which opened last November. Durban’s popular Barry and Calli Thomson are among a cast that pays tribute to ’80s hits by, among others, Tears For Fears, Def Leppard, Yazoo, Belinda Carlisle, Michael Jackson, Madonna, INXS, UB40, Pat Benatar, Queen. Mango Groove and many others. I could have done with less narration and corny chit-chat but a good band with some great song choices. (BS)

Below are this week’s ads for KwaZulu-Natal from Ster-Kinekor, Nu Metro and Suncoast CineCentre.